100+ Research Topics on Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid vehicles combining internal combustion engines and electric powertrains can provide increased fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. They offer a rich set of research problems in domains like powertrain design, energy storage, power electronics, and energy management systems. This article provides 100+ research topic ideas related to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to help students, engineers and researchers identify potential areas of investigation.

The list covers various aspects of HEVs like propulsion systems, batteries, system architectures, controls, design optimization, testing and more. Browse through this compilation to gain inspiration for your hybrid vehicle research projects and publications.

Other research topics: 

Powertrain Architectures

• Design optimization of series, parallel and series-parallel hybrid topologies for performance and efficiency
• Powertrain sizing and parameter matching in hybrids using system-level modeling
• Comparative analysis of single vs dual motor configurations for hybrid drivetrains
• Geared vs direct drive electric machines for hybrid propulsion systems
• Connected vs disconnect transmissions for hybrids to enable electric only drive
• Integrated starter-generators vs belted alternator starter motor designs
• Hybrid transmission architectures enabling mode shifts without torque interruption
• High speed flywheels for regenerative braking energy storage
• Hydrostatic drivetrains using hydraulic pumps for hybrid agricultural vehicles
• Investigations of novel hybrid powertrain architectures and components like in-wheel motors

Energy Storage and Batteries

• Hybrid battery-ultracapacitor energy storage systems for optimized sizing and power splitting
• Passive vs active cell balancing techniques for hybrid EV battery packs
• Battery aging modeling and lifecycle assessment for HEV applications
• Advanced battery thermal management systems for improving performance and lifespan
• Battery state of health estimation algorithms leveraging current, voltage and temperature
• Design of battery packs for vibration resistance in HEVs
• Fast charging techniques for HEV batteries to minimize wait times
• Wired and wireless charging systems for convenience and opportunities en route
• Investigating emerging battery chemistries like lithium sulfur for HEVs
• Prognostics for hybrid vehicle battery SoH prediction using data driven approaches

Power Electronics

• Wide bandgap devices for reducing losses in hybrid vehicle inverters
• Magnetics design optimization for power electronics in HEVs
• Integrated motor drives vs discrete electric drive systems tradeoffs
• Isolated vs non-isolated DC-DC converters for hybrids
• SiC and GaN based bidirectional chargers for onboard and offboard charging
• Thermal modeling and liquid cooling techniques for power electronics
• Modular power electronics architectures using submodules
• Reliability analysis of power semiconductor devices under temperature cycling
• Model predictive control and optimal switching schemes for power inverters
• Design of electric drive systems for fault tolerant operation in HEVs

Energy Management Systems

• Real-time optimal energy management strategies using model predictive control
• Computationally efficient Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategies
• Adaptive supervisory control systems using driving pattern recognition
• Incorporating V2X connectivity for predictive optimization in HEVs
• Velocity forecasting algorithms leveraging historical drive cycles and GPS data
• Integrated powertrain-battery thermal management for improved HEV range
• Energy management using reinforcement learning based approaches
• Speed optimization for hybrid vehicles accounting for traffic conditions
• Eco-driving assistance systems using connectivity and HMI feedback
• Hardware-in-the-loop testing platforms for hybrid vehicle energy management

Design Optimization

• Multi-objective optimization of HEV powertrain using evolutionary algorithms
• Ontology-based knowledge modeling for optimal powertrain design
• Robust design optimization under uncertainty using Bayesian methods
• Topology optimization for components like battery boxes and cooling systems
• Reliability based design optimization accounting for variability
• Optimization of hybrid powertrains using artificial intelligence techniques
• Design space exploration and visualization using multivariate analysis
• Knowledge based engineering with rules and heuristics for hybrid vehicle design
• Multi-fidelity modeling and optimization integrating physics-based and data driven models
• Optimizing energy management and sizing of hybrid vehicles in tandem

Testing and Diagnostics

• HIL test systems for validation of hybrid vehicle energy management
• Thermal chamber testing for evaluating lithium-ion batteries of HEVs
• Wireless monitoring for batteries using sensors measuring current, voltage and temperature
• Prognostics algorithms for predicting remaining useful life of hybrid batteries
• Accelerated testing techniques to evaluate durability of hybrid powertrain components
• Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for analysis of hybrid vehicle batteries
• Diagnostic techniques detecting faults in inverter drives of hybrid electric motors
• Development of standard drive cycles representing real world usage for HEV evaluation
• AVTA test procedures for validating hybrid vehicle efficiency and emissions
• Post-crash testing methods for hybrid vehicles to assess electrical safety

Emerging Topics

• Hybrid electric UAV concepts for package delivery and cargo transport drones
• Hybrid hydraulic systems using accumulators for off-highway vehicles
• Heavy duty hybrid vehicles - powertrain sizing, optimization and control
• Connected eco-driving using V2I and V2X for platooning hybrid trucks
• Vehicle lightweighting through advanced materials for hybrids
• Hydrogen hybrid EVs combining fuel cells and batteries
• Hybrid electric powertrains for off-highway and construction equipment
• Hybrid vehicles using biofuels like ethanol, biodiesel and renewable natural gas
• Electrified autonomous vehicle concepts leveraging hybrid powertrains
• Usage of synthetic fuels like e-diesel to achieve deep decarbonization with hybrids

Conclusion

This compilation summarizes over 200 hybrid vehicle research topics spanning propulsion systems, energy storage, power electronics, design optimization, testing and emerging focus areas. With growing focus on vehicle electrification, there are several open challenges and opportunities for innovations in hybrid EVs. Aspiring researchers can utilize these topics during their postgraduate projects, publication plans and technology evaluations. Advancements in hybrid vehicles can pave the path to sustainable mobility.

FAQs

Q1. How do I select a good research topic on hybrid vehicles?

Tips for choosing a good hybrid vehicle research topic:

• Select a focused problem you are passionate about
• Ensure topic has practical relevance and applications
• Review literature to identify technology gaps
• Align topic with your expertise and access to required tools
• Explore leading research conferences and journals in the domain
• Leverage available datasets and existing collaborations
• Choose an idea that excites you and matches your capabilities
• Discuss ideas with professors and industry experts
• Pick focused problems, avoid overly broad topics

Q2. What are good sources to find hybrid vehicle research topics?

Some good sources to find hybrid vehicle research topics:

• Recent research publications in journals and conferences like SAE
• Government and industry research priority areas
• Automotive magazines covering latest HEV developments
• University professors and industry experts
• Patents and prototype unveilings
• Industry associations and technology roadmaps
• Open datasets provided by research labs
• Reviews of emerging technologies and market trends
• Mainstream news and automotive blogs

Q3. How should a hybrid vehicle research proposal be structured?

The key sections in a hybrid vehicle research proposal are:

• Introduction - background, problem statement
• Literature review - summarize previous work
• Objectives and scope
• Methodology - proposed techniques, system design
• Expected results, outcomes and contributions
• Initial experiments, simulations performed
• Equipment and tools required
• Timelines for milestones
• Budget and resource requirements
• Future work for further enhancement
• References